Tito Ortiz to Meet Mark Coleman at UFC 106

According to multiple news outlets, the highly-rumored bout between Mark Coleman and Tito Ortiz is a done deal for UFC 106. The fight marks the official Octagon return for “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” and will be his first bout since dropping a unanimous decision to Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 in May 2008.

Sources close to Coleman confirmed the scrap with Fighters Only magazine, and MMA Authentics executive Mike DiSabato, a sponsor of Coleman’s, Tweeted a similar notion.

Ortiz has complied a 14-6-1 professional record over his 12-year mixed martial arts career, all of which were spent with the UFC. Although his Octagon accomplishments are many, they pale in comparison to the controversy that he constantly generated outside of it.

“Tito Ortiz is still a guy fans want to see fight,” UFC president Dana White said when he announced Ortiz’ return late last month. “He’s ready to compete at 205 pounds. A lot of people love him, and a lot of people love to hate him. He’s back. Tito and I set all our differences aside. Tito Ortiz will retire in the UFC.”

Although the 34-year-old remains one of the sports most imposing figures, it should be noted that he has gone 0-2-1 over his last three contests. And it could be argued that he hasn’t won a “big” fight since he took a split decision from Forrest Griffin at UFC 59 in April of 2006.

Coleman has compiled a 16-9 pro mark over his Hall of Fame career, and like Tito, was once a UFC champion. He holds a 7-4 record inside the Octagon, including his unanimous decision victory at UFC 100.

“The Hammer” managed to turn back the hands of time and dominate a much younger Stephan Bonnar en route to a landslide win.

The W was Coleman’s first since his controversial victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at Pride 31 back in February of 2006. Coleman was trying to take the red-hot Brazilian down, however Shogun broke his arm when he tried to plant it on the mat to ease his fall.

A melee ensued between Shogun’s Chute Boxe teammates, including then Pride 205-pound king Wanderlei Silva and the Americans, with Phil Baroni leading the charge.

No word if this will be the night’s main event or not, hopefully not, but either way, UFC 106 is slated to jump off on November 21st inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.